Impact Stories
Ascension Borgess Foundation
Therapy Dog Program brings comfort to thousands
Volunteer handlers bring their certified therapy dogs to visit with patients throughout the hospital and cancer center to bring comfort, smiles, and healing to patients.
Interactions with therapy dogs in 2024: 22,862
Research found that spending just 10 minutes with a therapy dog improved patients’ overall well-being, while also alleviating pain, anxiety and depression. Animal-assisted therapy can also reduce - or assist people in coping with - certain symptoms associated with mental health disorders.*
If you are in the hospital or cancer center and would like a visit from one of the dogs, ask your caregiver to see if they are available!
The Therapy Dog Program relies on the generous support of donors in order to be successful and see so many patients. YOU have the opportunity to connect a patient with the healing power of a therapy dog.